Dad's Guide to New Baby: Checking Diaper Contents

Knowing how much food a breast-fed baby is getting is very difficult, especially when your partner is just starting out. To make sure baby is getting enough milk, keep track of wet and poopy diapers for the first week, taking note of the number and type of soiled diapers. Comparing your notes to the following norms can put your mind at ease or can alert you to a breast-feeding issue that may need attention:

Every day, baby should dirty 8 to 12 diapers total.

On day 1, poop should resemble black tar.

On day 2, poop should look like brown/black tar.

On day 3, poop should begin to be greenish.

On day 4, poop should change to greenish yellow.

On days 5 to 7, poop should be yellow.

Contact your child’s pediatrician if any of the following situations occur: